martes, 22 de mayo de 2012

Screening for Prostate Cancer

Screening for Prostate Cancer

Release of USPSTF Final Recommendation on Screening for Prostate Cancer
Today, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released its prostate cancer screening final recommendation statement. The draft recommendation statement was posted online for public comment from October 11 to December 13, 2011. The USPSTF reviewed and considered the public comments received when the draft recommendation statement was posted. The final recommendation statement includes a section called "Response to Public Comments," which addresses the comment process and common themes from the public feedback received. To view the final recommendation statement and the supporting evidence reports, click here http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/prostatecancerscreening.htm. A fact sheet that explains the final recommendation statement in plain language is also posted on that Web page.

U.S. Preventive Services

Screening for Prostate Cancer

Do you have questions about the USPSTF recommendation on prostate cancer? Click below to learn more:

Are you a clinician who would like more information about what this recommendation means for your practice and your patients? Click below to learn more:

Current Recommendation

Release Date: May 2012

The USPSTF recommends against PSA-based screening for prostate cancer.
Grade: D Recommendation.

This recommendation applies to men in the general U.S. population, regardless of age. This recommendation does not include the use of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for surveillance after diagnosis or treatment of prostate cancer; the use of the PSA test for this indication is outside the scope of the USPSTF.

“Prostate cancer is a serious health problem that affects thousands of men and their families. But before getting a PSA test, all men deserve to know what the science tells us about PSA screening: there is a very small potential benefit and significant potential harms. We encourage clinicians to consider this evidence and not screen their patients with a PSA test unless the individual being screened understands what is known about PSA screening and makes the personal decision that even a small possibility of benefit outweighs the known risk of harms.”

—USPSTF Co-Chair Michael LeFevre, M.D., M.S.P.H.
May 22, 2012

In October 2011, the USPSTF posted for public comment the draft of its recommendation regarding prostate cancer screening. Since then, Task Force members have read the many comments received and reviewed the most up-to-date evidence.
Based on this work, the Task Force concludes that many men are harmed as a result of prostate cancer screening and few, if any, benefit.
A better test and better treatment options are needed. Until these are available, the USPSTF has recommended against screening for prostate cancer.
The members of the USPSTF face the same concerns and fears about health challenges as other people. This decision was reached only after extensive consideration and thoughtful debate. It is based on science and rooted in the knowledge that while everyone wants to help prevent deaths from prostate cancer, current methods of PSA screening and treatment of screen-detected cancer are not the answer.
The mission of the USPSTF is to improve the health of all Americans by sharing with them evidence-based recommendations, and empowering them and the clinicians who serve them to make informed decisions.

Supporting Documents

Supporting Document	Related Items
Recommendation Statement
	Are You Considering Being Screened? Facts for Consumers (PDF File, 293 KB; PDF Help)
	Prostate Cancer Screening Statistics at a Glance (PDF File, 65 KB; PDF Help)
	How Did the USPSTF Arrive at This Recommendation?
	Clinical Summary (PDF File, 61 KB; PDF Help)
	Talking With Your Patients About Screening for Prostate Cancer (PDF File, 243 KB; PDF Help)
	Draft Recommendation Statement for Public Comment * (November 30–December 13, 2011)
Evidence Report (PDF File, 169 KB; PDF Help)	Evidence Synthesis, Screening (PDF File, 783 KB; PDF Help)
Evidence Report (PDF File, 169 KB; PDF Help)	Evidence Synthesis, Treatment (PDF File, 1.8 MB; PDF Help)

* Note: Draft Recommendation Statements are by their nature not final, and should not be interepreted as to represent official USPSTF recommendations for practice. Draft Recommendation Statements are provided by the USPSTF for informational purposes only.

Current as of May 2012

Internet Citation:

Screening for Prostate Cancer, Topic Page. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/prostatecancerscreening.htm